Spanish chain removes Israeli game Rummikub

(JTA) — A Spanish toy store chain has removed the Israeli game Rummikub from its shelves.

The games have been replaced with a Chinese knock-off, Ynet reported, citing a report in a Spanish newspaper.

The removal reportedly is in response to Israel’s interception on May 31 of a Gaza-bound flotilla that left nine passengers dead.

"We carried the game until now because it is very interesting from a pedagogical perspective," Quim Sicília, one of the senior managers of the Abacus chain, told the Spanish newspaper. "But as a cooperative we see what is going on, and we must be sensitive to the social situations."

Abacus has 34 branches in Spain, which last year hosted the Rummikub World Championship.